iFixit and Macminicolo.net have posted teardowns of the new Mac mini. Both teardowns provide numerous pictures and explain how to take apart the new kid on the block. So, here are some of the changes and highlights noted from the iFixit teardown:

- The Mac mini's unibody top enclosure is machined from a single block of aluminum, with a twist off rubber base that exposes RAM components for easy access. "Removing the RAM is very simple this time around, requiring only the simple prying of two clips." The bottom cover also provides a radio window in the metal case for WiFi and Bluetooth.

- "There are two blind holes in the case of the Mini that are meant for the ends of Apple's custom U-shaped logic board removal tool. We just used two Torx screwdrivers. We call them the 'Mac mini logic board removal tool."

- The new Mac mini's power supply provides "a minuscule 7 Amps at 12V. Compare that to the 25.8 Amps at 12V cranked out by the 27 inch iMac, and you can understand how they fit the power supply inside the Mini."

- "The fan doesn't have too much work to do, since the new Mac Mini is the most energy-efficient desktop, running on less than 10 watts at idle! In keeping with its space saving design, the fins directing air toward the vent hole are slanted to allow for better fan placement."

- The fan cools the CPU and CPU via a wraparound heat sink tube that wicks heat toward the fins and blows it out the wide slot on the back panel.

Now I love the new design, just want to see the refurb price now, the HDD is pretty simple to get to now it seems._________________"You must control your future by taking command of your present, and fixing and learning from your past."

Yes change out of the hdd in these will be a task. Looks like you can break more with this one. Also if you want to take the hdd out you will be handling the power supply.

Also Philip, I suspect that the old "Will I invalidate my warranty?" question will be a lot trickier to answer when it comes to HDD swaps on this new machine...

I will say that without a doubt changing the HD will invalidate the warranty of this machine. If it isn't discussed at all in the manual then it's considered at your discretion and liability._________________2.3 GHz i7 Mini (stock)
2.6 GHz i7 Mini, Samsung 830 & Hitachi
15" 2.3 GHz i7 MBP, Samsung 840 & WD Black
3.5GHz 6C MP, D700s

For me, seeing the comparison pics of the old and new mini in the iFixit article conjured up thoughts of the different variations of the NCC-1701 Enterprise.

If the Mac Mini were a starship, I think the previous gen mini's would be considered Galaxy class. These new mini's are definitely Sovereign class.

And for the record, 1701-D was/is/shall always be my favorite Enterprise.

My opinion on this new mac mini has changed from good to bad since learning about it Tuesday. I have heard many more cons than pros... not only about the design, but about the price and the specs as well. I think this new mini is too radical a change in the wrong direction. I'm going to have to pass on it, regardless of the awesomeness of the built in power supply.

Yeah, integrating the temperature sensor with the HDD seems about as subtle as soldering the CPU to the logic board...

I just read about this at XLR8YOURMAC. I guess it's the same deal as with the iMacs. It seems that you can upgrade the drive so long as it's the same brand, if not series...

SC

yeah this is why I am so pissed off at apple. the imac is wonderful but can't put an ssd in it and no esata port. so big hdd no fast hdd no raid0. a real fu..

looks like no ssd's in mac mini's how about that for fu. I don't feel like spending 699 for a base unit and voiding the warranty just to find out what I can do to it. I am going to let others be the leader on this unit. my hack's will all void the warranty so why bother just like the iMac._________________2010 Mm 2.4 C2D oem 320gb hdd 8gb ram
2012Mm base 2.5 with 16gb ram diy fusion drive
2012Mm quad with 8gb ram oem 1tb hdd

Yes change out of the hdd in these will be a task. Looks like you can break more with this one. Also if you want to take the hdd out you will be handling the power supply.

Since it is a switching power supply you can shock yourself big time. I would advise anyone that wants to take a new mini apart to keep it unplugged for more then 1 hr.

It also looks like breaking the power supply when you put in a new hdd is a real possibility.

I am planning on getting a server.

I don't think keeping it unplugged for 1hr will make much difference, if there's a capacitor it can shock and kill you decades after being power off. Now to be safe you can always ground yourself like you are supposed to when handling any type of electronics.

Also as far as upgrading internal components, unless Apple makes a specific point in their included legal documentation it is assumed that the owner has that right, but if the owner should cause any wort of damage or the added/upgraded part cause any damage the warranty is void as it is currently written, so check the warranty first, Apple may have changed it on this one._________________"You must control your future by taking command of your present, and fixing and learning from your past."

Yeah, integrating the temperature sensor with the HDD seems about as subtle as soldering the CPU to the logic board...

I just read about this at XLR8YOURMAC. I guess it's the same deal as with the iMacs. It seems that you can upgrade the drive so long as it's the same brand, if not series...

SC

yeah this is why I am so pissed off at apple. the imac is wonderful but can't put an ssd in it and no esata port. so big hdd no fast hdd no raid0. a real fu..

looks like no ssd's in mac mini's how about that for fu. I don't feel like spending 699 for a base unit and voiding the warranty just to find out what I can do to it. I am going to let others be the leader on this unit. my hack's will all void the warranty so why bother just like the iMac.